Comprised of two historic mansions surrounded by lush foliage, the historic Gastonian has the B&B feel down to a tee. Each of the 17 rooms features antique furniture and a working fireplace, and free breakfast is served every morning, either downstairs or directly in your room. This upscale B&B lacks the amenities of larger hotels -- there is no fitness center and no elevator -- but modern perks like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs make this 19th-century property feel up to date.

The Kehoe House is quaint, historic inn housed in a beautifully restored 1892 mansion. The 13 rooms are all elegant and classic (without feeling fussy or dated), with antique-style wood furniture, decorative fireplaces, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. Most have a large veranda overlooking tree-lined Columbia Square. There are few amenities, but freebies galore (free Wi-Fi, cooked-to-order breakfast), and the location in the Historic District is hard to beat.

The small, historic East Bay Inn is located smack dab in the middle of Savannah's Historic District, and caters to older clientele who can appreciate its feeling of a bygone era. With its multitude of free features (including evening wine-and-cheese receptions and daily continental breakfasts), the hotel puts a lot of emphasis on its old-fashioned charms, though some can be grating (like thin walls and creaky floors). Still, it offers much more character than nearby chain hotels like the Hampton Inn or the Hyatt Regency.

The 15-room Savannah Bed and Breakfast Inn was built in 1853 in the southern end of the historical quarter of Savannah and is listed in the local register of Historic Inns. Each room has individual character, but all are decorated in a formal, traditional style with four-poster beds, oriental carpets, and shelves stocked with books. The inn is renovated and bathrooms are modern, but certain period features, like steep, narrow staircases, remain. Breakfast included in the daily rate is excellent and southern-inflected; afternoon tea and evening cookies are also served. Rooms are available in four carriage houses and assorted nearby cottages.

Built in 1851, this charming 68-room property housed Union soldiers during the Civil War -- and some guests say their spirits still walk the hallways. Savannah's oldest hotel is a wonderful pick, with a great location in the heart of the Historic District and elegant rooms that feature gorgeous architectural details like high ceilings, hardwood floors, and decorative fireplaces. However, this upper-middle-range property has some of the drawbacks common to old buildings, such as noise issues, small rooms and bathrooms, and few amenities. Don’t miss the 45 Bistro, which offers a seasonal menu and an extensive wine list.

Once a 19th-century private residence, The Eliza Thompson House is a romantic bed and breakfast full of Southern charm. Located on a red brick street, the hotel is surrounded by oak and magnolia trees, and walking distance to cafes, parks, museums, and eclectic shops. Each of the 25 rooms is unique and features antiques such as leather wingback chairs and ornate armoires from Europe. A great value compared to other inns in Savannah’s historic district, the upper-middle-range hotel offers free breakfast, happy hour, and desserts.

The Holiday Inn Express Savannah Historic District exceeds expectations for a value hotel and offers more Southern charm and historic character than most Holiday Inn Express properties. The hotel is located within walking distance to some of the most popular cafes and shops in the historic district. Crowning the seven-story brick building, the rooftop pool deck has panoramic views of the Savannah River and Hutchinson Island. A cozy, fireside bar near the lobby is a gathering place for both locals and hotel guests.

Overlooking the Savannah River, this former cotton storehouse has been reborn as an 86-room hotel that takes up an entire block in the northern part of the Historic District. It’s a mid-range property, but it has some nice touches, like a small but well-equipped fitness center and free wine and cheese hours. Built in 1817, its stone and brick walls, hardwood floors, and inner atrium give the River Street Inn more character than most hotels of this category. It’s an old building, so rooms are somewhat small for the price, but they feature classic décor, large windows, and flat-screen TVs.

The Dresser Palmer House is a charming, historic bed and breakfast in an Italianate townhouse that dates back to 1876. The 16 rooms are each decorated differently but share a similar historic feel, many with four-poster beds, antique-style wood furniture, fireplaces, and patios. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, but the inn lacks amenities -- such as a fitness center and a pool -- that larger hotels in the area have. But the location in the Historic District is hard to beat, and for guests who prefer southern hospitality and the residential-style stay of a quaint B&B, this is one of the best bets in the area.